Associate Degree Registered Nursing (RN) Program Information

News and Announcements

Pre-Nursing Counseling Walk-in Hours (Fall 2018): Danny Lynch is available for academic counseling walk-ins on Thursdays,
from 9am - Noon and from 2pm-4pm on the San Luis Obispo campus (Bldg 3100). Check
in at the Counseling window or call 805-546-3138 to make an appointment.

100% First Time NCLEX Pass Rate: Cuesta College Registered Nursing (RN) graduates have achieved a 100 percent first-time
exam pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for the fourth
year in a row. Congratulations to the RN classes of 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017!

Program Overview

The Associate Degree Registered Nursing (RN) Program at Cuesta College is a two-year (four-semester) program offered on the San Luis Obispo campus. This program prepares students to
graduate with an Associate of Science Degree in Nursing (ADN). The RN curriculum
is based on caring. A variety of clinical settings and diverse faculty give students
a well-rounded education as they participate in community-based internships and preceptorships.
Students are given the tools to become successful members of a healthcare team and
are encouraged to continue their education after graduation.

Licensing Exam and Pass Rates

Graduates of Cuesta’s RN program are eligible to take the National Council Licensing
Exam for Registered Nursing (NCLEX-RN), leading to licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN). NCLEX-RN Pass Rates.

Admissions & Application Information

RN Program applications are accepted once a year in October for admission the following
August. It is the applicant's responsibility to follow current application instructions
and meet all current requirements and due dates.

Program Eligibility

All persons who meet general Cuesta College admission requirements and submit a program
application meeting all requirements are eligible for admission. Eligibility does
not guarantee admission.

NOTE: Conviction of a misdemeanor or felony may constitute grounds for denial of licensure.
Meet with the Director of Nursing to discuss any concerns before applying to the program.

Class Selection

Class Selection is determined using a multi-criteria screening process in accordance
with California Education Code 78261 and the California Community College Chancellor's
office. A maximum of 100 points are awarded in the areas of: Academic degree, license or certificate; Prerequisite coursework and Math GPA; Work
or volunteer experience in healthcare; Life experiences/special circumstances; Foreign
language proficiency; and a diagnostic assessment test (ATI-TEAS). Program Admission
is offered to the highest scoring eligible applicants to fill available seats. If
there is a tie among applicants, a computerized random draw will break the tie. There
is no wait list for the RN program. Applicants not admitted must reapply in a future
application cycle.

Accreditation & Program Approval

Cuesta College is a member of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and
is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC). The Cuesta
College Associate Degree Nursing program is approved by the California Board of Registered
Nurses (BRN). All courses and curricula are approved by the Board of Governors of
the California Community Colleges.

Questions?

For questions about program eligibility, prerequisites, course evaluations, and academic
planning, call the Counseling department at (805) 546-3138 and request to make an
appointment to meet with a pre-nursing counselor.